RFWiFi 6E vs WiFi 6: Key Differences Explained
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This article dives into the comparison between WiFi 6E and WiFi 6, highlighting the key distinctions. WiFi 6E essentially extends the capabilities of WiFi 6 (based on IEEE 802.11ax) into the 6 GHz frequency band.
This new spectrum offers up to 1.2 GHz of bandwidth and can accommodate around 7 channels with a 160 MHz bandwidth.
What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is designed to deliver faster WiFi connections with lower latency. These high-throughput connections are particularly beneficial for 5G applications. It opens doors to various use cases, including:
- High-speed tethering
- Multi-gigabit WiFi venue capacity
- WiFi calling
- Whole-home gigabit coverage
- Augmented Reality (AR) / Virtual Reality (VR)
The illustration above shows the different bandwidths and channels supported by WiFi 6E across various frequency ranges. The table below provides a detailed breakdown. One of the main advantages of WiFi 6E over traditional WiFi is:
- More Spectrum: Up to 1200 MHz of additional WiFi spectrum in the 6 GHz band.
- Scheduled Traffic: Fully scheduled traffic ensures guaranteed low latency without channel contention.
- Speeds: Offers speeds exceeding 1 Gbps, surpassing WiFi 6 and older WiFi standards.
- High Capacity: Supports a large number of devices with cutting-edge technology.
| Frequency Band | Number of channels / Bandwidth |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | 3 in 20 MHz |
| 1 in 40 MHz | |
| 5 GHz | 25 in 20 MHz |
| 12 in 40 MHz | |
| 6 in 80 MHz | |
| 2 in 160 MHz | |
| 6 GHz | 59 in 20 MHz |
| 29 in 40 MHz | |
| 14 in 80 MHz | |
| 7 in 160 MHz |
WiFi 6E devices, paired with Bluetooth 5.2, offer high-quality voice and music wirelessly. Modern Qualcomm FastConnect chips, like the 6700 and 6900, are engineered to support WiFi 6E and are being integrated into smartphones and VR headsets.
Difference between WiFi 6E and WiFi 6
The following table compares WiFi 6E and WiFi 6 based on various parameters, outlining their similarities and differences:
| Features | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency spectrum (GHz) | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5GHz and 6 GHz (7 numbers of 160 MHz channels, no DFS) |
| Availability | Available now | Available in 2020/2021 |
| Channel bandwidth | 20, 40, 80, 80+80, 160 MHz | 20, 40, 80, 80+80, 160 MHz |
| MU-MIMO | Downlink and Uplink (8x8 DL and UL) | Downlink and Uplink (8x8 DL and UL) |
| Modulation | 16/64/256/1024 QAM | 16/64/256/1024 QAM |
| Clients per channel | OFDMA - up to 74 clients (160 MHz channel) | OFDMA - up to 74 clients (160 MHz channel) |
| Max. Data Rate | ~ 1.5 Gbps per device | Higher than wifi6 and other traditional wifi devices, 2.3 Gbps per device |
| Capacity (Number of channels) | Lower | Higher |
| Latency | Higher | Extremely lower |
| Network performance | Good | Better (In dense congested environments) |
| Coverage range | More (in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands) | Less ( in 6 GHz band) |
Conclusion
Due to its high bandwidth, low latency, and increased number of channels, WiFi 6E represents the future of WiFi technology. As mentioned, it facilitates 4K/8K video streaming, real-time cloud gaming, high-speed data transfer, IoT (Internet of Things) applications, 5G integration, and more.
